Clinician Beliefs and Attitudes Regarding Use of Respiratory Protective Devices and Surgical Masks for Influenza

The authors described a survey of infectious disease physicians to learn their perspectives on influenza transmission, personal protective equipment preferences, respirator supplies, barriers to expanded use of respirators, and respirator conservation strategies. Among the findings, respondents widely agreed with recommendations to use surgical masks during seasonal influenza outbreaks. They slightly favored N95 respirators during mild severity pandemics, but two-thirds preferred N95 respirators over surgical masks during a high mortality pandemic. They also preferred extended use or reuse of disposable N95 respirators over elastomeric or powered air-purifying respirators in the event of a respirator shortage.